Possible bad catalytic
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Possible bad catalytic
I have a suspicion that my cat has gone bad. The car stutters at idol and putters under heavy acceleration, my fuel economy has dropped, to top it off my exhaust tips are jet black. I obviously would like to fix the issue, but I can't find any stock cats, or really any cats for that matter mainly because communist California does not like aftermarket anything. I know there are cats that would be CA legal, but I'm not sure it would be worth the effort as they won't be like the stock bolt on cats. Should I just replace the cat with a straight pipe, or go through the hastle and cost of getting a new one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
I have a suspicion that my cat has gone bad. The car stutters at idol and putters under heavy acceleration, my fuel economy has dropped, to top it off my exhaust tips are jet black. I obviously would like to fix the issue, but I can't find any stock cats, or really any cats for that matter mainly because communist California does not like aftermarket anything. I know there are cats that would be CA legal, but I'm not sure it would be worth the effort as they won't be like the stock bolt on cats. Should I just replace the cat with a straight pipe, or go through the hastle and cost of getting a new one.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Having said that, you need to post a year (there is a difference). try plugging one side and see if you have any pressure on the other. Get the car warm and check to see if the cat (s) are hot. DIsconect the cat and check for pressure and see if it runs any better. Black tips will actually happen with good cats.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,218
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
I would check O2 sensors first to see if a connector has got pulled loose or has corrosion/bad connection in it. Or if the sensor itself is old/bad. Strange that it runs rough but shows no code yet. (post what year)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski